Crimson & Clover

Dilemma

Josuke lifted his pompadoured head up to admire Morioh's yellow sky. It was around 3 PM and he was enjoying the weekend with his father by his side on a park bench. In Joseph's arms was little Shizuka. Joseph wiggled his finger at her.

"Hello Shizuka! Enjoying the sun, sweet pea?" Joseph asked the infant with a smile. Shizuka simply giggled and open and closed her tiny hands. Despite the sun shining down brightly on them, Joseph still wore his large scarlet coat with his signature spotted ushanka on his head.

Josuke looked down at his sister and smiled, as well. He popped open the Coca Cola he had bought from the convenience store a few minutes ago. Joseph had went on and on about how cola was best cold. Josuke had simply nodded at his nearly senile old man.

After taking a large gulp, Josuke opened his eyes to see Yukako walking across the street... but was it her? She looked kinda different. It was definitely her uniform, but? Either way he called out to her, "Yukako! Hey, how are ya?" Josuke waved his open hand.

Yukako was heading in the opposite direction when she turned her head, revealing those piercing eyes of hers. Once she realized who was calling her, she waved back and crossed the street over to where the Joestars were seated.

"Hello, Josuke. Mr. Joestar." Yukako bowed.

"Hey, did you get something done? You look a bit different." Josuke tilted his head.

Yukako smoothed her hair in her hand. "I just left Cinderella. I got my hair straightened." She flicked it back behind her. "Just felt like trying something new."

"Oh, so that's it! I could barely recognize you without your curls," Josuke said.

"With your hair straight like that," Joseph spoke up. "Well, it reminds me of my mother." He smiled warmly at the thought. "Hmm... You look very pretty, Yukako."

Her lips curled into a smile as a light shade of rose crept onto her cheeks. "Thank you, Mr. Joestar. That's very sweet of you to say."

"You're very welcome."

There was a lull in the conversation. Josuke continued to slurp his soda while Shizuka cooed aloud. The chirping of cicadas could also be heard faintly alongside the whizzing of cars driving by.

"Hm! Josuke." Joseph turned to his son.

"Yeah?" Josuke took another sip of his cola.

"Yukako is a pretty girl, isn't she? Why haven't you taken her on a date?" Joseph shot his son a wink while elbowing his arm lightly.

Josuke spat out his cola and crushed the soda can in his fist. Yukako stepped backwards clutching her bag closely to her. Both teenagers felt their faces become very hot and it was not a result of the beaming sun.

"WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING, YOU GEEZER?" Josuke leaned in toward his father. "Yukako is dating Koichi? Remember? My friend?" He turned away from both his father and Yukako, refusing to make eye contact with her. Us? A couple? No way!

"Oh, is that right?" Joseph chuckled as he stroked his beard. "Well that's too bad. Either way, I hope one day Josuke will find someone that is nearly half as nice a girl as you."

Josuke, mortified, looked at his father again.

Stop talking! He thought to himself, sweat beading on his forehead.

Yukako ran her hand over head and through her thick dark locks. She nodded. "Right. It was nice to see you all. I've... got to head home now. Bye everyone. Bye Shizuka." She gave the baby a small wave. Shizuka gurgled happily. "I'll see you Monday, okay?" Yukako looked worriedly at Josuke. Her blue eyes lingered on him perhaps too long before she finally turned away from the family. Her dark hair shined under the bright rays of the sun as it swayed behind her.